A large procession of emergency vehicles made its way through Victoria today after an officer died while on duty following medical emergency.
On the morning of Wednesday, March 5th, a Saanich Police officer tragically passed away while on duty following a sudden medical emergency.
The officer, who was at the Saanich Police Department at the time, was quckly attended to by emergency services, but despite all efforts, the officer’s life could not be saved.
A solemn procession took place through Victoria on March 6th, as the community mourned the loss of one of its own. The event was marked by the outpouring of support from colleagues, friends, and the public, all of whom were deeply impacted by this tragic loss.
Please see the following message from Chief Constable Dean Duthie:
It's with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of one of our officers, who suffered a sudden medical emergency while on duty on Wednesday March 5th. The officer was at our department at the time.
Our… pic.twitter.com/YF6kNZDXRc
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) March 6, 2025
Saanich Police Chief Constable Dean Duthie expressed his sorrow in a statement, offering heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family and colleagues.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of one of our officers,” said Chief Duthie. “Our leadership, Critical Incident Support Management, and Peer Support teams are fully engaged and supporting the officer’s family and all our staff during this very difficult and emotional time.”
The department has focused on ensuring that both the officer’s family and their staff receive the necessary support during this time of grief.
“We are very grateful for all the support and assistance received yesterday from Saanich Fire, Emergency Health Services (Ambulance), the Island Health medical teams at Royal Jubilee Hospital, the Victoria Police, Oak Bay Police, Central Saanich Police, West Shore RCMP, and all other partner agencies during this difficult time,” added Chief Duthie.
Details surrounding the officer’s identity have not been released at this time, as the family and department request privacy during this period of mourning.
